Opening Moves : The Making of a Young Chess Champion: Michael Thaler

"Michael Thaler always loved puzzles, so his mother gave him a chess set before he entered kindergarten and hired a teacher to show him how to play the game. After the first lesson, the teacher told Michael's parents, "I've never seen anyone learn chess so quickly. Our son will be a master before he is ten years old." The teacer's words have provem to be prophetic - Michael has won the national championship for his age group twice. Opening Moves is a glimpse of a young boy discovering his talent, finding the keys to success in chess, as well as dealing with defeat, and all the time learning important life lessons. Complete descriptions of key matches and an afterword by Michael's father, who addresses other parents who have placed or are considering placing children in competitive chess situations, make this book a book that young chess players and their families will want to own."

Grade 1-5-Michael Thaler's passion for chess at age six and his rise to become a national championship player are described in an engaging manner. Short chapters tell about the boy's thirst for the game, his development as a player, and the lessons he has learned from chess, including patience and planning. The author also analyzes three of the boy's games and includes an afterword by his father on his reaction to competitive tournaments. Throughout the book, Thaler remains a child who also enjoys playing the piano and Little League baseball. Large, full-color photographs enhance the author's descriptions of the youngster's development. While well written, the book's appeal may be limited to children interested in chess or biographies of other youngsters.
Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreeboro
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Eight-year-old Michael Thaler discovered chess at the age of four and won his first match barely a week later. Since then he has continued to study and play, winning numerous championships and tournaments. This perceptive book, with photos by David Hautzig, details how Michael pursues his passion, even as he lives life as a regular kid. Michael shares the seven lessons he has learned from chess (prepare, respect your opponent, focus, be patient, develop a plan, and win and lose with grace) as Berg recounts the plays from several of Michael's crucial games, and Michael's father offers parental perspective. There are clear pictures of chess boards and full-color photographs of Michael and his family at home and in tournament play. An appealing portrait of a seemingly down-to-earth child, this will make a popular introduction to an ancient game and should encourage other aspiring young chess masters. Kay Weisman